Finer Something Song Tower

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:33 am

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The artist's finest ADJECTIVE (whetever it is) song. Or one that you think is finer than the current one, anyway.... Simple.

It works the same as other towers in that posters add the finest songs they know, but this is how it works: When someone makes their 3rd song swap they have to at their discretion replace an artist (with new song obviously) and swap the adjective, from wherever it happens to be in its prior position, with another adjective from the tower. So 2 artists get a new adjectival emphasis from then on, for better or worse. The same song can appear again if there is a different adjective at a later time and the same artists can also appear again.

To start it, I've just given the artists these adjectives and songs randomly below (so they don't match yet, it's all jumbled - it meant I didn't have to think about the 15 catalogues at once):

Ready? go!

Nick Lowe - DARK - Shting Shtang
Liz Phair - PASSIONATE - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Eminem - CATCHY - The Way I Am
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Funeral Pyre
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Monkey Wrench
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - Lifetime Piling Up
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Goodbye
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amendment to this post -
This was added later because the tower was later reduced to 13 artists and also because of my not making it clear whether or not EC can be put in. He can. Also, a better adjective can replace one of the current ones now, by someone if they think of a better one to put in.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:35 pm

Christ! Are you going to police this one? I'm already lost.

Nick Lowe - DARK - Shting Shtang
Liz Phair - PASSIONATE - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Eminem - CATCHY - The Way I Am
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Funeral Pyre
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Monkey Wrench
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - The Overload
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Goodbye

Apparently DB wanted it to sound like Joy Division, even though he hadn't (unfathomably) heard their music at that point, he was just after what he'd read about. Someone must have created the Morrisalike drum part knowingly. It's a shit song, the TH's equivalent of Broken. Apparently he was disappointed when he heard JD, but nothing like I was when I heard this song.

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:42 pm

Nick Lowe - DARK - Basing Street
Liz Phair - PASSIONATE - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Eminem - CATCHY - The Way I Am
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Funeral Pyre
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Monkey Wrench
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - The Overload
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Goodbye

King Hoarse · Post by **King Hoarse** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:45 pm

I'm dimwitted, but you're supposed to pick a song you like more, no?

Is that necessarily another pretentious Talking Heads song, but one I like better? Or a better self-indulögent Neil Young song?

And does the "random" deal mean that you don't think Southern Man is self-indulgent but just wanted to show us the look of the list?

Does Neil Young "(& band)" imply that we can't pick solo songs (self-indulgent or not) or that we can include Buffalo Springfield & CSNY numbers? If you mean the latter, are Brinsley Schwartz/Beatles/Whiskeytown/D12 etc. off limits?

Sorry about all the questions, but I want to learn the fine print so I can play!

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:43 pm

Christ! Are you going to police this one? I'm already lost.

There won't be any need to, it's really not that complicated. If you are not comfortable with selecting fine pretentious Talking Heads songs, remember that an adjective swap can be made on your every third song swap.

I'm glad you asked Hoarse. Let me reclarify.

you're supposed to pick a song you like more, no?

Yes. Two adjectives apply, the first being 'finest'. So, the finest something song. The two adjectives combine.

Is that necessarily another pretentious Talking Heads song, but one I like better? Or a better self-indulgent Neil Young song?

Yes, the idea is to pick a finer song, that you just so happen to think is somewhat pretentious or self-indulgent or whatever AS WELL. Which I'd hope would be very subjective, I'd encourage it to be. But the idea is NOT to pick the most pretentious or self-indulgent song by the artist.

And does the "random" deal mean that you don't think Southern Man is self-indulgent but just wanted to show us the look of the list?

Right.

Does Neil Young "(& band)" imply that we can't pick solo songs (self-indulgent or not) or that we can include Buffalo Springfield & CSNY numbers? If you mean the latter, are Brinsley Schwartz/Beatles/Whiskeytown/D12 etc. off limits?

I was a bit confusing there but I meant to imply all-inclusiveness like with Ben Folds/BF5; that you can either put in a Neil Young song or one with Neil and Crazy Horse or with Buffalo Springfield or CSNY etc... nothing would be off-limits so long as it is by Neil.

King Hoarse · Post by **King Hoarse** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:19 pm

Thanks!

Nick Lowe - DARK - Basing Street
Liz Phair - PASSIONATE - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Eminem - CATCHY - The Way I Am
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Funeral Pyre
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Monkey Wrench
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - The Overload
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Woodrow Wilson

so lacklustre · Post by **so lacklustre** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:25 pm

1. Is anyone going to stay with this long enough to have three turns?
2. What's an adjective?
3. Have LZ ever done a cerebral song?
4. Or Nirvana a joyous one?
5. Try saying finest joyous, it doesn't sound right.
6. Does the water really go down the plughole the other way in OZ?
7. Will you be my mutual friend?
8. Anyone wanna wrestle?

El Vez · Post by **El Vez** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:32 pm

so lacklustre wrote: 8. Anyone wanna wrestle?

Sorry but you are not legally cleared to wrestle for another six months and then only after a Federation doc signs off on it. You don't want to end up like Tom Billington, do you?

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:59 pm

1. Is anyone going to stay with this long enough to have three turns? Don't let the fact that I was the genious behind this deter you from participating in this tower, that would be too stupid.
2. What's an adjective? look it up
3. Have LZ ever done a cerebral song? good question
4. Or Nirvana a joyous one? good question
5. Try saying finest joyous, it doesn't sound right.
6. Does the water really go down the plughole the other way in OZ?

. Yeah.
8. Anyone wanna wrestle? Nobody besides El Vez and you thinks wresting is very funny on this site, escept maybe for humouring you purposes.

Nick Lowe - DARK - Basing Street
Liz Phair - PASSIONATE - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Eminem - CATCHY - The Way I Am
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Funeral Pyre
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Everlong Dave Letterman introduced it as his favourite song from his favourite album when the performed it.
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - The Overload
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Woodrow Wilson

El Vez · Post by **El Vez** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:06 pm

bambooneedle wrote: 8. Anyone wanna wrestle? Nobody besides El Vez and you thinks wresting is very funny on this site, escept maybe for humouring you purposes.

Oh you're just cranky 'cause El Santo's not returning your calls.

pophead2k · Post by **pophead2k** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:08 pm

Nick Lowe - DARK - Basing Street
Liz Phair - PASSIONATE - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Eminem - CATCHY - The Way I Am
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Funeral Pyre
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Everlong
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - The Overload
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Woodrow Wilson

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:15 pm

I added a song swap as an afterthought at the same time as you pophead. Good choice.

Oh you're just cranky 'cause El Santo's not returning your calls.

. But don't post to me, thanks.

so lacklustre · Post by **so lacklustre** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:16 pm

Nick Lowe - DARK - Basing Street
Liz Phair - PASSIONATE - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Eminem - CATCHY - Stan
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Funeral Pyre
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Everlong
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - The Overload
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Woodrow Wilson

El Vez · Post by **El Vez** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:18 pm

bambooneedle wrote:

Oh you're just cranky 'cause El Santo's not returning your calls.
. But don't post to me, thanks.

You mean like this!

Or this!

Or this right here!

Pokin' at'cha, pokin' at'cha, pokin' atcha!

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:56 pm

See, I told you I was lost. I lost sight of 'finest' because I hate The Overload. How to pick a more grating song that you also like more? Too complicated to have two criteria, no?

King Hoarse · Post by **King Hoarse** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:36 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote:See, I told you I was lost. I lost sight of 'finest' because I hate The Overload. How to pick a more grating song that you also like more? Too complicated to have two criteria, no?

Not if you like grating stuff.

Doesn't have to be more grating, mind you; just a little will do, but you have to like it more than the previous one. I haven't heard any grating Pulp songs though.

But as an example, you could make a case for a lot of Velvet Underground stuff being grating, and I like I Heard Her Call My Name more than Black Angel's Death Song, to name two masterpieces.

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:55 am

See, I told you I was lost. I lost sight of 'finest' because I hate The Overload. How to pick a more grating song that you also like more? Too complicated to have two criteria, no?

A song can be quite paradoxical, no? Anyway, with enough song swaps, you get to assign the offending adjective to another artist.

The finest sexy Jam song that I know -- Precious (From The Jam's Greatest Hits). Almost hip sounding horns complement Weller's beautiful, frank words to the needed lover and every word matters - he avoids triteness when he delivers lines like:
Lonely as the moors on a winter's morning
Quiet as the sea on a good calm night
In your tranquil shadow - I try and follow

Nick Lowe - DARK - Basing Street
Liz Phair - PASSIONATE - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Eminem - CATCHY - Stan
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Precious
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Everlong
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - The Overload
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Woodrow Wilson

miss buenos aires · Post by **miss buenos aires** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 5:09 pm

King Hoarse wrote:Doesn't have to be more grating, mind you; just a little will do, but you have to like it more than the previous one. I haven't heard any grating Pulp songs though.

Have you ever heard the disc Masters of the Universe? If you-re looking for grating Pulp, search no more. But nothing on it is finer than "Help the Aged," so...

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 5:11 pm

Come in Patagonia!

miss buenos aires · Post by **miss buenos aires** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 5:46 pm

I'm back now. Sorry to disappoint you, Otis. Will send pics once I complete the monumental task of uploading the photos that made the cut to Shutterfly. But I'm going to Salta tomorrow! Not quite as mythic, perhaps, but it does have a cloud forest.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:49 pm

And I thought you'd moved there to live! Where's Salta? You might as well jump! Yes please to photos. What exactly is a cloud forest? A forest at cloud level, so a generally wet one? Or a forest where the trees are really all vapour?

King Hoarse · Post by **King Hoarse** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:47 am

Otis Westinghouse wrote:What exactly is a cloud forest?

A clouded house in the great wide open.

miss buenos aires · Post by **miss buenos aires** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:21 am

Otis Westinghouse wrote:And I thought you'd moved there to live! Where's Salta? You might as well jump! Yes please to photos. What exactly is a cloud forest? A forest at cloud level, so a generally wet one? Or a forest where the trees are really all vapour?

Salta (aka Salta la Linda) is up north, by the Bolivian border. If I weren't scared of the consequences of illegally overstaying my visa, I'd hop over. I'm not exactly sure what a cloud forest is, but I'll let you know when I get there...

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:13 pm

Well it's good to see you're getting to both ends of the country. Meanwhile, what happened to 'Boo's thread?

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:32 pm

If someone posts after your last post or it's been a while, you can have another go on the tower.

I can do an artist/song swap now and swap the adjective.

Out: Eminem
In: Bon Jovi - Silent Night. From the pre-big fame 7800 Degrees Farenheit album that I liked at 15. Liz Phair gets 'CATCHY'.

Nick Lowe - DARK - Basing Street
Liz Phair - CATCHY - Polyester Bride
Led Zeppelin - CEREBRAL - Dazed and Confused
Nirvana - JOYOUS - The Man Who sold the World
George Harrison - POLITICAL - Crackerbox Palace
Ryan Adams - AMUSING -Nuclear
Bon Jovi - PASSIONATE - Silent Night
Neil Young (& band) - SELF-INDULGENT - Southern Man
Pulp - GRATING - Help The Aged
The Jam - SEXY - Precious
Foo Fighters - CLASSIC - Everlong
Talking Heads - PRETENTIOUS - The Overload
Wilco - ANGRY - Blasting Fonda
Ben Folds/BF5 - HAUNTING - Emaline
Emmylou Harris - OBSCURE - Woodrow Wilson